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very country has a different way of standardizing education. Most countries adopt something like national exams. Every level of study is given a standardized test to pass. In Indonesia, we call this Ujian Nasional, or the national exams.

There are different opinions about the exams, particularly because they are implemented nationwide, though there are high disparities in education between the provinces. The pros and cons of this matter have been discussed for a long time.

The government even stopped the national exams for a year on one occasion. The pro-side feels the need to standardize education. The purpose of this is to ensure that every student that passes will have the same level of understanding of their school lessons. With this, graduates would be qualified and well prepared for the world of labor.

Therefore, the government applies the national exams standards to all public and private schools.

This actually does help in advancing educational standards in Indonesia. But to some, this is viewed as ineffective and not something that helps Indonesia'€™s people.

Therefore, among those who do not agree with the national exams, they are believed to be an ineffective way of raising our country'€™s educational standards. The exams do not make children smarter and more advanced.

They think the tests depress the students badly, so that they will try anything to pass. They are even willing to do things like cheating to get the required grades. Irresponsible officials even sell answers to students and help them to cheat. Such bad impacts from the exams have encouraged certain activists to demand the removal of the national exams.

Many students have become seriously depressed. The government has downgraded the minimum passing scores, but the most remote regions of Indonesia are still not able to cope with this due to their lack of educational facilities.

Finally, all the pros and cons will continue in the future as long as the national exams are still carried out. The government needs to carry out evaluations and perhaps even make revisions.

We need to try to make our human resources qualified for the modern world. This needs the cooperation of both the government and the people.

Akira Dwipayana
Depok, West Java